Month: April 2014

Wine has been an integral part of Georgian culture for thousands of years, yet the wines are just beginning to become known and respected outside of the country. As part of our effort this month to provide more in depth knowledge on Georgia, I conducted a brief interview with Alice Feiring. Alice is a respected, passionate wine writer with a keen interest in natural wines. She recently wrote a book on Georgian wine, so I knew her insights would be first hand and authoritative. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the interview below and get inspired to experience first hand this ancient wine culture. 1. What made you interested in writing a book about the wines of Georgia? Actually, the Georgian government approached me. The country had already translated Naked Wine into Georgian and they wanted an “Alice” book on my perceptions of Georgian wine, but on my part, it was a love project. I am hoping to triple the pages on the book and get an American publisher on board. My agent was funny, he was like, who would be interested in Georgian wine? But when he started to read the book, he quickly changed his mind. 2. What is … Continue reading The Wines of Georgia – The “Alice Perspective”

If you like Tokaj, or if you want to learn more about Tokaj, you should check I’ll Drink to That!‘s latest episode. I’ll Drink to That! is a podcast that releases new interviews of sommeliers, vintners, importers, retailers, and wine journalists every Tuesday and Friday. Episode 164 features an interview with Tokaj guru Samuel Tinon during his recent visit to New York City. Born in Bordeaux in 1966, Samuel Tinon comes from a wine producing family in Sainte Croix du Mont, a sweet wine appellation on the Garonne River across from Sauternes. After his wine studies in Bordeaux and Montpellier, Samuel traveled to Spain and Chile. In 1999, he had the opportunity to work in Hungary in the Tokaj region. He didn’t know much about Hungary but there is a strong connection between sweet wine making in Bordeaux and Tokaj. He was the first French winemaker to arrive in the region, just a month after the departure of the Soviet Army. Interview Highlights How he started his winery In 2000, when his contract with Oremus ended, Samuel decided to buy some land, grapes, and a tractor in the village of Olaszliska, but had no money. To finance his venture, he … Continue reading I’ll Drink to That! Exclusive interview with Samuel Tinon

In the new issue of Saveur Magazine, writer and radio host Brendan Francis Newnam takes us to his family’s homeland: the tiny island of Murter in Northern Dalmatia, sharing family stories and traditional seafood recipes: Skampi na Buzaru (Langoustines in Tomato, Garlic, and Wine Sauce) Crni Rižoto (a Black Cuttlefish Risotto) Riba na Rostilju (Whole Grilled Fish with Lemon) and Brodet (a Croatian Fish Stew made with white wine). “In Croatia, a fish must swim three times: once in the sea, once in oil, and once in wine,” explains the author’s cousin. While you enjoy reading the article, pour yourself a glass of one of Saveur’s wine recommendations from Dalmatia and Istria. We are proud to point out that 5 out of 6 are imported by Blue Danube Wine Co: Carić Vina Bogdanjuša 2012: If you haven’t heard of bogdanjuša, a grape from the Island of Hvar whose name means godsend, you’re not alone. Redolent of grapefruit peel and Mediterranean herbs, Carić Bogdanjuša 2012 ($17) is the first wine made from the rare grape to be exported to the U.S. Its citrusy flavor makes it a nice match for whole grilled fish. Coronica Malvasia 2012: Malvasia Istriana, one of Friuli’s … Continue reading Splendor of the Isles: Saveur’s Best Bottles from Croatia